The bill seeks to enhance the regulatory framework for agriculture in New Mexico by amending various acts related to pesticide regulation, plant health, bee management, fertilizers, and weights and measures. It introduces a new section, 76-1-6, establishing a standardized system of administrative penalties for violations, with progressive penalties based on the severity of the infraction, including potential felony charges for willful non-compliance. The bill also increases caps on fees and fines associated with pesticide registration and licensing, ensuring that these penalties benefit the state treasury and the current school fund. Additionally, it amends the Pesticide Control Act and the Plant Protection Act to align with current practices, including new fee structures, certification requirements for pesticide applicators, and enhanced authority for the department to monitor pesticide use and analyze agricultural products.

Further amendments address the Bee Act, Fertilizer Act, Pecan Buyers Licensure Act, Egg Grading Act, and Weights and Measures Act, introducing new definitions, updating fee structures, and establishing administrative penalties for violations. The bill allows for the suspension or revocation of licenses for non-compliance and mandates registration for service establishments and technicians involved in commercial weighing and measuring. It also clarifies the responsibilities of the department in maintaining standards and conducting inspections, while repealing outdated sections to streamline regulations. Overall, the legislation aims to improve compliance, consumer protection, and the overall management of agricultural practices in New Mexico.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 76-4-1, 76-4-6, 76-4-20, 76-4-22, 76-4-23, 76-4-34, 76-4-38, 76-4-39, 76-5-12, 76-5-13, 76-5-15, 76-5-16, 76-5-19, 76-5-20, 76-5-21, 76-5-25, 76-5-26, 76-5-27, 76-5-28, 76-9-1, 76-9-2, 76-9-3, 76-9-5, 76-9-7, 76-9-8, 76-9-11, 76-9-12, 76-9-13, 76-11-3, 76-11-4, 76-11-5, 76-11-6, 76-11-7, 76-11-10, 76-11-11, 76-11-12, 76-11-13, 76-11-14, 76-11-15, 76-11-16, 76-11-17, 76-11-18, 76-11-19, 60-16-1, 60-16-2, 60-16-7, 60-16-8, 76-19A-12, 76-19A-15, 25-6-1, 25-6-9, 25-6-12, 25-6-16, 57-17-1, 57-17-2, 57-17-3, 57-17-4, 57-17-6, 57-17-7, 57-17-8, 57-17-10, 57-17-12, 57-17-18, 57-17-19, 57-17-20, 57-18-1, 57-18-2, 57-18-7, 57-18-11, 57-19-25, 57-19-27, 57-19-34, 76-1-6, 57-19-36, 57-18-8, 76-4-15